Creamy Mushroom Alfredo Penne Bake
Enjoy a comforting whole wheat penne pasta bake with creamy mushroom alfredo sauce, enriched with tender cauliflower florets of cauliflower.
Ingredients
- 1 lb whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 head cauliflower (about 6-7 cups of florets)
- 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
- 3/4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic
- 24 ounces fresh sliced mushrooms
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook the pasta for 5 minutes – it should still be a little firm. Drain, toss with a drizzle of oil, and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the cauliflower, and cook for 5 minutes until tender-crisp. Meanwhile saute the minced garlic with a tablespoon of butter. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked cauliflower to a blender with 2 cups broth, milk, oil, salt, and sauteed garlic. Puree until very smooth. You might need to do this in batches.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat the 3 tablespoons butter in a very large skillet. Add the mushrooms and saute until golden brown.
- Toss the cooked pasta, cauliflower sauce, and mushrooms together. Add the remaining cup of broth to help the consistency stay saucy.
- Transfer to a deep 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and bake uncovered at 400 for 10-15 minutes. Some of the moisture from the mushrooms will seep out – give it a quick stir to reincorporate it and make it creamy.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality mushrooms for the best flavor.
- Ensure the cauliflower is pureed until completely smooth for a silky sauce.
- Don't overcook the pasta initially, as it will bake further.
- Fresh sage ribbons add a beautiful aromatic garnish. Allergens: Milk, Wheat, Soybeans. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- Ensure the cauliflower is pureed until completely smooth for a silky sauce.
- Don't overcook the pasta initially, as it will bake further.
- Fresh sage ribbons add a beautiful aromatic garnish. Allergens: Milk, Wheat, Soybeans. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.